Reverse Engineering

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Reverse Engineering vs. Forward
Engineering

Forward Reverse
Engineering: Engineering:
The process of taking
process of moving something apart and
from high-level analyzing its workings in
abstractions and detail, usually with the
intention to construct a
logical designs to new device or program
the physical that does the same thing
implementation without actually copying
anything from the original.
of a system.
2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Why Reverse Engineer?
The original manufacturer of a product no longer produces a product.
The original design documentation has been lost or never existed.
Some bad features of a product need to be designed out.
To explore new avenues to improve product performance and features.
To gain competitive benchmarking methods to understand competitors

products and develop better products.

To update obsolete materials or antiquated manufacturing processes

with more current, less-expensive technologies.

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering includes:

Identifying the system's components and
their interrelationships
Creating representations of the system in
another form or a higher level of abstraction
Creating the physical representation of that
system

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Steps of Reverse Engineering
Prediction
What is the purpose of this product?
How does it work?
What market was it designed to appeal to?
List some of the design objectives for the
product.
List some of the constraints that may have
influenced the design.
Next
Step

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
Steps of Reverse Engineering

Observation
How do you think it works?
How does it meet design objectives
(overall)?
Why is it designed the way it is?

Next
Step

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Steps of Reverse
Engineering
Disassemble
How does it work?
How is it made?
How many parts?
How many moving parts?
Any surprises?

Next
Step
2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Steps of Reverse
Engineering
Analyze
Carefully examine and analyze
subsystems (i.e. structural, mechanical,
and electrical)
Develop annotated sketches that include
measurements and notes on components,
system design, safety, and controls

Next
Step

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Steps of Reverse
Engineering
Test
Carefully reassemble the product
Operate the device and record observations
about its performance in terms of
functionality (operational and ergonomic)
and projected durability

Next
Step

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology
 Steps of Reverse
Engineering
Documentation includes the following:
Inferred (not obvious) design goals
Inferred constraints
Design (functionality, form [geometry], and
materials)
Schematic diagrams
Lists (materials, components, critical
components, flaws, successes, etc.)
Identify any refinements that might
enhance the products usefulness
Upgrades and change

2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning
Foundations of Technology